I-5 paving kicks off July 8 in north Clark County

10 miles of smoother pavement to follow nighttime lane closures this summer

VANCOUVER – Fresh, smooth pavement on Interstate 5 in north Clark County is just a season away, as crews roll up their sleeves under the summer sun.

Work started this week on a project that repairs and resurfaces aging pavement on both directions of I-5 between the Clark County Fairgrounds and Woodland.

The first week of construction brought minimal traffic disruptions with shoulder closures on both directions of I-5. Contractor crews working with the Washington State Department of Transportation installed construction signs.

Paving work begins in earnest the night of Monday, July 8. Drivers should expect nighttime single- and double-lane closures on both directions of I-5 weeknights 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., while paving crews grind out deteriorating pavement and lay fresh asphalt along the heavily traveled freight corridor.

Crews will also repair pavement at the Ridgefield Weigh Station, replace roadway traffic sensors and pave ramps at the La Center interchange.

Resurfacing extends the life of the interstate and provides a smoother, safer ride for motorists. The project also strengthens and preserves the road surface, allowing this section of I-5 to continue handling more than 74,000 daily commuter and freight vehicles.

This $6.1 million paving project was awarded in June to Kerr Contractors Oregon Inc., of Woodburn, Ore. Work is scheduled for completion this fall.